NEW YORK—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is joining forces with Ford
Motor Company to provide a clean, green alternative for the
metropolitan New York commuter.

NYPA and Ford’s electric vehicle group, TH!NK Mobility, will
launch the "NYPA/TH!NK Clean Commute," a commuter station
car demonstration using the TH!NK city electric vehicle (EV).
The project is designed to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion
as well as promote national energy independence since electricity
relies primarily on domestic fuel sources.

"This initiative is a direct result of Governor George Pataki’s
environmental leadership which created the financial and technical
support for developing and expanding the availability of EV’s and
other clean fueled vehicles. State tax credits, bond act financing and
the Executive Order requiring clean vehicles in the state fleet have
combined to present an unsurpassed array of incentives for
environmentally sound transportation in New York State. Now, the
Empire State will host the largest electric vehicle station-car
demonstration in the nation," said Joseph J. Seymour, NYPA
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Ford will lease the TH!NK city EV to commuters in
Westchester, Queens, Putnam, Nassau, Suffolk and Rockland counties for
$199 per month. "Clean Commute" participants will be able to
use charging stations at commuter train stations lots, where their
vehicles will be repowered during the workday and ready to go for the
trip home. Participants will have the option to install charging at
their homes to broaden the opportunity for greater vehicle use.

"The TH!NK city is a two passenger city car designed exactly
for programs such as "Clean Commute," said Rob Stevens,
president of TH!NK mobility. "Battery electric vehicles are
perfect for this kind of program where limited miles are driven each
day. We’re happy the state of New York continues to support
alternative fuel solutions."

"The TH!NK city EV not only offers an emission-free
ride, it can also provide an all-electric commute when combined with
electric-powered commuter trains. MTA commuter rail and subways are
powered with electricity supplied by the Power Authority, " said
Eugene W. Zeltmann, NYPA’s President and Chief Operating Officer.
Mr. Zeltmann also serves as Co-Chairman of the Electric Vehicle
Association of the Americas.

NYPA, in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation
Authority, Metro North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road, will
coordinate activities to insure sufficient rail station parking and
charging stations. Additional support and funding will be provided by
the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the Long
Island Power Authority, the New York State Department of
Transportation, New York City Department of Transportation and the
U.S. Department of Energy.

"Public transportation has always been the most
environmentally responsible, cost-effective and time-efficient way to
get around New York. Indeed, the MTA’s subways, buses and commuter
rail system, carrying 8 million people a day, is a big part of the
pollution solution," said MTA Chairman Peter S. Kalikow.
"The MTA is proud to help bring this all electric clean commute
program to reality."

"Governor Pataki is a strong advocate for using the State’s
resources to partner with communities and industries to preserve our
environmental resources and promote economic development," said
NYSERDA Chairman Vincent A. DeIorio. "This project is a perfect
example of how we can achieve those goals. Electric vehicles will help
us improve air quality in our urban centers, reduce our reliance on
imported petroleum, and ultimately create new job opportunities in
this emerging industry."

"This is an excellent initiative," said LIPA Chairman
Richard M. Kessel. "It's a great way to promote and demonstrate
the environmental benefits of alternative energy vehicles. The program
coincides with the goals of LIPA's Clean Energy Initiative, which is a
multi-year, $170 million effort to promote energy conservation and
efficiency, and develop alternative energy technologies.

"The New York State Department of Transportation, with the
fervent support of Governor Pataki, is proud to have played an
integral role in the effort to offer mass transit users throughout
suburban New York City an opportunity to take part in this exciting
new clean commute program," New York State Department of
Transportation Commissioner Joseph H. Boardman said. "Working
together with state and local agencies and Ford Motor Company, we are
confident that this program will promote both the environmental
benefits of clean fuel vehicle technologies and the benefits of mass
transit use."

Regional municipalities that operate rail station parking such as
the Town of New Castle, City of White Plains, Town of Huntington, Town
of Southeast, Town of Oyster Bay, and the Town of Clarkstown have
agreed to provide special parking in connection with the charging
stations.

Local Ford dealers will lease TH!NK city vehicles to
consumers and provide maintenance services. The TH!NK city is a
two-passenger EV with a range of approximately 50 miles and a top
speed of approximately 55 miles per hour. It is manufactured by Ford’s
TH!NK Nordic subsidiary in Aurskog, Norway.

The New York Power Authority’s electric transportation program
has deployed 200 electric vehicles, ranging from full-sized transit
buses to battery-powered bicycles. Last year, NYPA-deployed electric
vehicles reached the "Million EV-Mile" mark. NYPA was the
first electric utility in the northeast to achieve that electric
vehicle benchmark.